Extensible Presence

The built-in presence states provide an excellent array of options for users, but the Lync Server platform is extensible, and businesses can build on these choices using custom presence states. These custom presence states enable the user to select one of the standard presence classes and colors, but to customize the text displayed with the status. Although a subscriber might still see a green icon synonymous with availability, the user’s presence can read Catching Up On E-mail, which gives subscribers an additional piece of information to consider before initiating a conversation.

Some applications use the extensibility features to provide more information about an endpoint’s capabilities. Mobile clients generally append a Mobile indicator to the presence status. This gives subscribers information that the user might be slow to respond because he is likely without a full keyboard or computer. Subscribers are aware they won’t likely be able to have a lengthy conversation, but that they can have a quick or short conversation. This designation might also give users an idea that calling the user’s mobile at that time is probably the quickest way to initiate a conversation.